Increased power tag read cycle

ABSTRACT

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas. The second power for the given target zone is greater in an aggregate across the second interrogating antennas than the first power for the given target zone

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/897,248, entitled “System and Method for Selectively Establishing aHigh-Power Tag Read Cycle in an RFID Portal,” filed Sep. 6, 2019, whichis expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to Electronic ArticleSurveillance (EAS). Examples related to EAS using a increased-power readcycles for radio Frequency Identification (RFID) EAS tags under certaincircumstances.

INTRODUCTION

EAS systems are commonly used in retail stores and other settings toprevent the unauthorized removal of goods from a protected area.Typically, a detection system is configured at an exit from theprotected area, which comprises one or more transmitters and antennas(“pedestals”) capable of generating an electromagnetic field across theexit, known as the “interrogation zone.” Articles to be protected aretagged with an EAS marker (such as an RFID tag) that, when active,generates a response signal when passed through this interrogation zone.An antenna and receiver in the same or another “pedestal” detects thisresponse signal and generates an alarm.

A number of organizations have set standards for RFID tags. One type ofRFID tag for which a standard has been established is known as anEPCglobal UHF Class 1 Generation 2 (hereinafter “EPC Gen2”) type tags.These tags have certain well known characteristics.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects and is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineatethe scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present someconcepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to themore detailed description that is presented later.

Examples of the technology disclosed herein include methods, systems,and tags of electronic article surveillance (EAS). Consider a radiofrequency identification (RFID) system comprises a plurality ofnon-co-located interrogation antennas, each antenna independentlycontrollable by the system to interrogate one or more of a plurality oftarget zones one target zone at a time for a presence of RFID tags ofthe system in each interrogated target zone. In some example, the RFIDsystem first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particulartarget zones of the plurality of target zones including a given targetzone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of theantennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. TheRFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger conditionto occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFIDsystem continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In responseto the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogatesthe given target zone in a second mode at a second power with aplurality of the antennas. The second power for the given target zone isgreater in an aggregate across the second interrogating antennas thanthe first power for the given target zone.

In some examples, monitoring includes detecting a number of RFID tags ofthe system during a given round, and the trigger condition comprises thenumber being over a first threshold. In some such examples the methodincludes second detecting, by the system in response to the secondinterrogating, a second number of RFID tags of the system. In suchexamples, for the second number greater than a second threshold, theRFID system ends the second interrogation in the second mode and thirdinterrogating in the first mode.

In some examples, the given target zone is a portal zone between a firstarea and a second area. In some examples, the trigger condition includesan output of one or more non-RFID sensors of the system being over athreshold of the one or more non-RFID sensors. In some examples, thetrigger condition comprises a schedule. In some examples at least oneantenna of the second interrogating antennas is a steerable beam antennaunder control of the system and not directed to the given target zoneduring the first interrogation.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or moreaspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative featuresof the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspectsmay be employed, and this description is intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an illustrative architecture for a system.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an illustrative architecture for a tag.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an illustrative architecture for a tagreader.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an illustrative architecture for a server.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an RFID portal system at a choke point.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the RFID portal system in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an example of portal zones surrounding an RFID portal system.

FIG. 8 is a chart illustrating session flags for RFID tags.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart flow chart of a method of electronic articlesurveillance, in accordance with examples of the technology disclosedherein.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of electronic article surveillance,in accordance with examples of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method of electronic article surveillance,in accordance with examples of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a computing device including componentsfor performing the function of examples of the technology disclosedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments asgenerally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures couldbe arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, asrepresented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments.While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings,the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specificallyindicated.

The present solution may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the present solution is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detaileddescription. All changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present solution should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the present solution. Rather, language referring tothe features and advantages is understood to mean that a specificfeature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with anembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentsolution. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similarlanguage, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily,refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe present solution may be combined in any suitable manner in one ormore embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, inlight of the description herein, that the present solution can bepracticed without one or more of the specific features or advantages ofa particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features andadvantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not bepresent in all embodiments of the present solution.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicatedembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentsolution. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

As used in this document, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” includeplural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unlessdefined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including,but not limited to.”

These and other features of the present disclosure are discussed indetail below with regard to FIGS. 1-12.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is provided a schematic illustration ofan illustrative system 100 that is useful for understanding the presentsolution. The present solution is described herein in relation to aretail store environment. The present solution is not limited in thisregard, and can be used in other environments. For example, the presentsolution can be used in distribution centers, factories and othercommercial environments. Notably, the present solution can be employedin any environment in which objects and/or items need to be locatedand/or tracked.

The system 100 is generally configured to allow (a) improved inventorycounts and surveillance of objects and/or items located within afacility, and (b) improved customer experiences. As shown in FIG. 1,system 100 comprises a Retail Store Facility (“RSF”) 128 in whichdisplay equipment 102 ₁, . . . , 102 _(M) is disposed. The displayequipment is provided for displaying objects (or items) 110 ₁-110 _(N),116 ₁-116 _(X) to customers of the retail store. The display equipmentcan include, but is not limited to, shelves, article display cabinets,promotional displays, fixtures, and/or equipment se-curing areas of theRSF 128. The RSF can also include emergency equipment (not shown),checkout counters. Emergency equipment, checkout counters, videocameras, people counters, and conventional EAS systems are well known inthe art, and therefore will not be described herein.

At least one tag reader 120 is provided to assist in counting andtracking locations the objects 110 ₁-110 _(N), 116 ₁-116 _(X) within theRSF 128. The tag reader 120 comprises an RFID reader configured to readRFID tags. RFID readers are well known in the art, and therefore will bedescribed at a sufficient level of detail below for understanding of theclaimed invention.

RFID tags 112 ₁-112 _(N), 118 ₁-118 _(X) are respectively attached orcoupled to the objects 110 ₁-110 _(N), 116 ₁-116 _(X). This coupling isachieved via an adhesive (e.g., glue, tape, or sticker), a mechanicalcoupler (e.g., straps, clamps, snaps, etc.), a weld, chemical bond, orother means. The RFID tags can alternatively or additionally comprisedual-technology tags that have both EAS and RFID capabilities asdescribed herein.

Notably, the tag reader 120 is strategically placed at a known locationwithin the RSF 128, for example, at an exit/entrance. By correlating thetag reader's RFID tag reads and the tag reader's known location withinthe RSF 128, it is possible to determine the general location of objects110 ₁, . . . , 110 _(N), 116 ₁, . . . , 116 _(X) within the RSF 128. Thetag reader's known coverage area also facilitates object locationdeterminations. Accordingly, RFID tag read information and tag readerlocation information is stored in a datastore 126. This information canbe stored in the datastore 126 using a server 124 and network 144 (e.g.,an Intranet and/or Internet).

System 100 also comprises a Mobile Communication Device (“MCD”) 130. MCD130 includes, but is not limited to, a cell phone, a smart phone, atable computer, a personal digital assistant, and/or a wearable device(e.g., a smart watch). Each of the listed devices is well known in theart, and therefore will not be described herein. In accordance with someexamples, the MCD 130 has a software application installed thereon thatis operative to: facilitate the provision of various information 134-142to the individual 152; facilitate a purchase transaction; and/orfacilitate the detachment of the RFID tags 112 ₁-112 _(N), 118 ₁-118_(X) from the objects 110 ₁, . . . , 110 _(N), 116 ₁, . . . , 116 _(X);and/or facilitate the detachment of an anchored chain or cable from theobjects 110 ₁, . . . , 110 _(N), 116 ₁, . . . , 116 _(X).

The MCD 130 is generally configured to provide a visual and/or auditoryoutput of item level information 134, accessory information 136, relatedproduct information 138, discount information 140 and/or customerrelated information 142. The item level information includes, but is notlimited to, an item description, item nutritional information, apromotional message, an item regular price, an item sale price, acurrency symbol, and/or a source of the item.

An accessory includes, but is not limited to, a useful auxiliary itemthat can be attached to or removed from an item (e.g., a drill bit orbattery of a drill). The accessory information includes, but is notlimited to, an accessory description, accessory nutritional information,a promotional message, an accessory regular price, an accessory saleprice, a currency symbol, a source of the accessory, and/or an accessorylocation in the facility.

A related product includes, but is not limited to, a product that can beused in conjunction with or as an alternative to another product (e.g.,diaper rash cream which can be used when changing a diaper, or a firstdiaper can be used as an alternative to another diaper). The relatedproduct information includes, but is not limited to, a related productdescription, related product nutritional information, a promotionalmessage, a related product regular price, a related product sale price,a currency symbol, a source of the related product, and/or a relatedproduct location in the facility.

The discount information can include, but is not limited to, a discountprice for a product based on a loyalty level or other criteria. Thecustomer related information includes, but is not limited to, customeraccount numbers, customer identifiers, usernames, passwords, paymentinformation, loyalty levels, historical purchase information, and/oractivity trends.

The item level information, accessory information, related productinformation and/or discount in-formation can be output in a formatselected from a plurality of formats based on a geographic location ofthe item, a location of the MCD, a date, and/or an item pricing status(i.e., whether the item is on sale). In a display context, the format isdefined by a font parameter, a color parameter, a brightness parameter,and/or a display blinking parameter. In an auditory context, the formatis defined by a volume parameter, a voice tone parameter, and/or amale/female voice selected parameter.

The MCD 130 can also be configured to read barcodes and/or RFID tags.Information obtained from the barcode and/or RFID tag reads may becommunicated from the MCD 130 to the server 124 via network 144.Similarly, the stored information 134-142 is provided from the server124 to the MCD 130 via network 144. The network 144 includes an Intranetand/or the Internet.

Server 124 can be local to the facility 128 as shown in FIG. 1 or remotefrom the facility 128. Server 124 will be described in more detail belowin relation to FIG. 4. Still, it should be understood that server 124 isconfigured to: write data to and read data from datastore 126, RFID tags112 ₁-112 _(N), 118 ₁-118 _(X), and/or MCD 130; perform language andcurrency conversion operations using item level information and/oraccessory information obtained from the datastore, RFID tags, and/orMCD; perform data analytics based on inventory information, tag readinformation, MCD tacking information, and/or information 134-142;perform image processing using images captured by camera(s) 148; and/ordetermine locations of RFID tags and/or MCDs in the RSF 128 usingbeacon(s) 146, tag reader 120 or other devices having known locationsand/or antenna patterns.

In some examples, one or more beacons 146 transmitting an RF signal(second RF signal that is non-RFID) other than the RFID interrogationsignal are placed to cover a zone of interest also covered by a tagreader 120 placed to cover an RFID interrogation zone, e.g., at a portalof the retail facility 128. The system 100 can detect and derive anynumber of relevant indicators based on second RF signal. The tag 112/118response to the second RF signal is analyzed and compared to datacollected by the RFID signal response that occurred concurrently withthe tag's passage through the portal.

The server 124 facilitates updates to the information 134-142 outputfrom the MCD 130. Such information updating can be performedperiodically, in response to instructions received from an associate(e.g., a retail store employee 132), in response to a detected change inthe item level, accessory and/or related product information, inresponse to a detection that an individual is in proximity to an RFIDtag, and/or in response to any motion or movement of the RFID tag. Forexample, if a certain product is placed on sale, then the sale price forthat product is transmitted to MCD 130 via network 144 and/or RFID tag.The sale price is then output from the MCD 130. The present solution isnot limited to the particulars of this example.

Although a single MCD 130 and/or a single server 124 is(are) shown inFIG. 1, the present solution is not limited in this regard. It iscontemplated that more than one computing device can be implemented. Inaddition, the present solution is not limited to the illustrative systemarchitecture de-scribed in relation to FIG. 1.

During operation of system 100, the content displayed on the displayscreen of the MCD 130 is dynamically controlled based upon various tagor item related information and/or customer related information (e.g.,mobile device identifier, mobile device location in RSF 128, and/orcustomer loyalty level). Tag or item level information includes, but isnot limited to, first information indicating that an RFID tag is inmotion or that an object is being handled by an individual 152, secondinformation indicating a current location of the RFID tag and/or the MCD130, third information indicating an accessory or related product of theobject to which the moving RFID tag is coupled, and/or fourthinformation indicating the relative locations of the accessory and themoving RFID tag and/or the relative locations of the related product andthe moving RFID tag. The first, second and fourth information can bederived based on sensor data generated by sensors local to the RFID tag.Accordingly, the RFID tags 112 ₁-112 _(N), 118 ₁-118 _(X) include one ormore sensors to detect their current locations, detect any individual inproximity thereto, and/or detect any motion or movement thereof. Thesensors include, but are not limited to, an Inertial Measurement Unit(“IMU”), a vibration sensor, a light sensor, an accelerometer, agyroscope, a proximity sensor, a microphone, and/or a beaconcommunication device. The third information can be stored local to theRFID tag(s) or in a remote datastore 126 as information 136, 138.

In some scenarios, the MCD 130 facilitates the server's 124 (a)detection of when the individual 152 enters the RSF 128, (b) tracking ofthe individual's movement through the RSF, (c) detection of when theindividual is in proximity to an object to which an RFID tag is coupled,(d) determination that an RFID tag is being handled or moved by theindividual based on a time stamped pattern of MCD movement and atimestamped pattern of RFID tag movement, and/or (e) determination of anassociation of moving RFID tags and the individual.

When a detection is made that an RFID tag is being moved, the server 124can, in some scenarios, obtain customer related information (such as aloyalty level) 142 associated with the individual 152. This informationcan be obtained from the individual's MCD 130 and/or the datastore 126.The customer related information 142 is then used to retrieve discountinformation 140 for the object to which the RFID tag is coupled. Theretrieved discount information is then communicated from the server 124to the individual's MCD 130. The individual's MCD 130 can output thediscount information in a visual format and/or an auditory format. Otherinformation may also be communicated from the server 124 to theindividual's MCD 130. The other information includes, but is not limitedto, item level information, accessory information, and/or relatedproduct information.

In those or other scenarios, a sensor embedded in the RFID tag detectswhen an individual is handling the object to which the RFID tag iscoupled. When such a detection is made, the RFID tag retrieves theobject's unique identifier from its local memory, and wirelesslycommunicates the same to the tag reader 120. The tag reader 120 thenpasses the information to the server 124. The server 124 uses theobject's unique identifier and the item/accessory relationshipin-formation (e.g., table) 136 to determine if there are any accessoriesassociated therewith. If no accessories exist for the object, the server124 uses the item level information 134 to determine one or morecharacteristics of the object. For example, the object includes aproduct of a specific brand. The server 124 then uses the item/relatedproduct information (e.g., table) 138 to identify: other products of thesame type with the same characteristics; and/or other products that aretypically used in conjunction with the object. Related productinformation for the identified related products is then retrieved andprovided to the MCD 130. The MCD 130 can output the related productinformation in a visual format and/or an auditory format. The individual152 can perform user-software interactions with the MCD 130 to obtainfurther information obtain the related product of interest. The presentsolution is not limited to the particulars of this scenario.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is an illustration of an illustrativearchitecture for a tag 200. RFID tags 112 ₁, . . . , 112 _(N), 118 ₁, .. . , 118 _(X) are the same as or similar to tag 200. As such, thediscussion of tag 200 is sufficient for understanding the RFID tags 112₁, . . . , 112 _(N), 118 ₁, . . . , 118 _(X) of FIG. 1. Tag 200 isgenerally configured to perform operations to (a) minimize power usageso as to extend a power source's life (e.g., a battery or a capacitor),(b) minimize collisions with other tags so that the tag of interest canbe seen at given times, (c) optimize useful information within aninventory system (e.g., communicate useful change information to a tagreader), and/or (d) optimize local feature functions.

The tag 200 can include more or less components than that shown in FIG.2. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose anillustrative embodiment implementing the present solution. Some or allof the components of the tag 200 can be implemented in hardware,software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardwareincludes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. Theelectronic circuit(s) may comprise passive components (e.g., capacitorsand resistors) and active components (e.g., processors) arranged and/orprogrammed to implement the methods disclosed herein.

The hardware architecture of FIG. 2 represents a representative tag 200configured to facilitate improved inventory management/surveillance andcustomer experience. In this regard, the tag 200 is configured forallowing data to be exchanged with an external device (e.g., tag reader120 of FIG. 1, a beacon 146 of FIG. 1, a Mobile Communication Device(“MCD”) 130 of FIG. 1, and/or server 124 of FIG. 1) via wirelesscommunication technology. The wireless communication technology caninclude, but is not limited to, a Radio Frequency Identification(“RFID”) technology, a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) technology,and/or a Short Range Communication (“SRC”) technology. For example, oneor more of the following wireless communication technologies (is)areemployed: Radio Frequency (“RF”) communication technology; Bluetoothtechnology (including Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)); WiFi technology;beacon technology; and/or LiFi technology. Each of the listed wirelesscommunication technologies is well known in the art, and therefore willnot be described in detail herein. Any known or to be known wirelesscommunication technology or other wireless communication technology canbe used herein without limitation.

The components 206-214 shown in FIG. 2 may be collectively referred toherein as a communication enabled device 204, and include a memory 208and a clock/timer 214. Memory 208 may be a volatile memory and/or anon-volatile memory. For example, the memory 208 can include, but is notlimited to, Random Access Memory (“RAM”), Dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), StaticRAM (“SRAM”), Read Only Memory (“ROM”), and flash memory. The memory 208may also comprise unsecure memory and/or secure memory.

In some scenarios, the communication enabled device 204 comprises aSoftware Defined Radio (“SDR”). SDRs are well known in the art, andtherefore will not be described in detail herein. However, it should benoted that the SDR can be programmatically assigned any communicationprotocol that is chosen by a user (e.g., RFID, WiFi, LiFi, Bluetooth,BLE, Nest, ZWave, Zigbee, etc.). The communication protocols are part ofthe device's firmware and reside in memory 208. Notably, thecommunication protocols can be downloaded to the device at any giventime. The initial/default role (being an RFID, WiFi, LiFi, etc. tag) canbe assigned at the deployment thereof. If the user desires to useanother protocol later, the user can remotely change the communicationprotocol of the deployed tag 200. The update of the firmware, in case ofissues, can also be performed remotely.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication enabled device 204 comprises atleast one antenna 202, 216 for allowing data to be exchanged with theexternal device via a wireless communication technology (e.g., an RFIDtechnology, an NFC technology, a SRC technology, and/or a beacontechnology). The antenna 202, 216 is configured to receive signals fromthe external de-vice and/or transmit signals generated by thecommunication enabled device 204. The antenna 202, 216 can comprise anear-field or far-field antenna. The antennas include, but are notlimited to, a chip antenna or a loop antenna.

The communication enabled device 204 also comprises a communicationdevice (e.g., a transceiver or transmitter) 206. Communication devices(e.g., transceivers or transmitters) are well known in the art, andtherefore will not be described herein. However, it should be understoodthat the communication device 206 generates and transmits signals (e.g.,RF carrier signals) to external devices, as well as receives signals(e.g., RF signals) transmitted from external devices. In this way, thecommunication enabled device 204 facilitates the registration,identification, location and/or tracking of an item (e.g., object 110 or112 of FIG. 1) to which the tag 200 is coupled.

The communication enabled device 204 is configured so that it:communicates (transmits and receives) in accordance with a time slotcommunication scheme; and selectively enables/disables/bypasses thecommunication device (e.g., transceiver) or at least one communicationsoperation based on output of a motion sensor 250. In some scenarios, thecommunication enabled device 204 selects: one or more time slots from aplurality of time slots based on the tag's unique identifier 224 (e.g.,an Electronic Product Code (“EPC”)); and/or determines a Window Of Time(“WOT”) during which the communication device (e.g., transceiver) 206 isto be turned on or at least one communications operation is be enabledsubsequent to when motion is detected by the motion sensor 250. The WOTcan be determined based on environmental conditions (e.g., humidity,temperature, time of day, relative distance to a location device (e.g.,beacon or location tag), etc.) and/or system conditions (e.g., amount oftraffic, interference occurrences, etc.). In this regard, the tag 200can include additional sensors not shown in FIG. 2.

The communication enabled device 204 also facilitates the automatic anddynamic modification of item level information 226 that is being or isto be output from the tag 200 in response to certain trigger events. Thetrigger events can include, but are not limited to, the tag's arrival ata particular facility (e.g., RSF 128 of FIG. 1), the tag's arrival in aparticular country or geographic region, a date occurrence, a timeoccurrence, a price change, and/or the reception of user instructions.

Item level information 226 and a unique identifier (“ID”) 224 for thetag 200 can be stored in memory 208 of the communication enabled device204 and/or communicated to other external devices (e.g., tag reader 120of FIG. 1, beacon 146 of FIG. 1, MCD 130 of FIG. 1, and/or server 124 ofFIG. 1) via communication device (e.g., transceiver) 206 and/orinterface 240 (e.g., an Internet Protocol or cellular networkinterface). For example, the communication enabled de-vice 204 cancommunicate information specifying a timestamp, a unique identifier foran item, item description, item price, a currency symbol and/or locationinformation to an external device. The external device (e.g., server orMCD) can then store the information in a database (e.g., database 126 ofFIG. 1) and/or use the information for various purposes.

The communication enabled device 204 also comprises a controller 210(e.g., a CPU) and in-put/output devices 212. The controller 210 canexecute instructions 222 implementing methods for facilitating inventorycounts and management. In this regard, the controller 210 includes aprocessor (or logic circuitry that responds to instructions) and thememory 208 includes a computer-readable storage medium on which isstored one or more sets of instructions 222 (e.g., software code)configured to implement one or more of the methodologies, procedures, orfunctions described herein. The instructions 222 can also reside,completely or at least partially, with-in the controller 210 duringexecution thereof by the tag 200. The memory 208 and the controller 210also can constitute machine-readable media. The term “machine-readablemedia,” as used here, refers to a single medium or multiple media (e.g.,a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions 222. The term“machine-readable media,” as used here, also refers to any medium thatis capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions 222for execution by the tag 200 and that cause the tag 200 to perform anyone or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The input/output devices can include, but are not limited to, a display(e.g., an E Ink display, an LCD display and/or an active matrixdisplay), a speaker, a keypad, and/or light emitting diodes. The displayis used to present item level information in a textual format and/orgraphical format. Similarly, the speaker may be used to output itemlevel information in an auditory format. The speaker and/or lightemitting diodes may be used to output alerts for drawing a person'sattention to the tag 200 (e.g., when motion thereof has been detected)and/or for notifying the person of a particular pricing status (e.g., onsale status) of the item to which the tag is coupled.

The clock/timer 214 is configured to determine a date, a time, and/or anexpiration of a pre-defined period of time. Technique for determiningthese listed items are well known in the art, and therefore will not bedescribed herein. Any known or to be known technique for determiningthese listed items can be used herein without limitation.

The tag 200 also comprises an optional location module 230. The locationmodule 230 is generally configured to determine the geographic locationof the tag at any given time. For example, in some scenarios, thelocation module 230 employs Global Positioning System (“GPS”) technologyand/or Internet based local time acquisition technology. The presentsolution is not limited to the particulars of this example. Any known orto be known technique for determining a geographic lo-cation can be usedherein without limitation including relative positioning within afacility or structure.

The optional coupler 242 is provided to securely or removably couple thetag 200 to an item (e.g., object 110 or 112 of FIG. 1). The coupler 242includes, but is not limited to, a mechanical coupling means (e.g., astrap, clip, clamp, snap) and/or adhesive (e.g., glue or sticker). Thecoupler 242 is optional since the coupling can be achieved via a weldand/or chemical bond.

The tag 200 can also include a power source 236, an optional ElectronicArticle Surveillance (“EAS”) component 244, and/or apassive/active/semi-passive RFID component 246. Each of the listedcomponents 236, 244, 246 is well known in the art, and therefore willnot be described herein. Any known or to be known battery, EAS componentand/or RFID component can be used herein without limitation. The powersource 236 can include, but is not limited to, a rechargeable batteryand/or a capacitor.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tag 200 further comprises an energy harvestingcircuit 232 and a power management circuit 234 for ensuring continuousoperation of the tag 200 without the need to change the rechargeablepower source (e.g., a battery). In some scenarios, the energy harvestingcircuit 232 is configured to harvest energy from one or more sources(e.g., heat, light, vibration, magnetic field, and/or RF energy) and togenerate a relatively low amount of output power from the harvestedenergy. By employing multiple sources for harvesting, the device cancontinue to charge despite the depletion of a source of energy. Energyharvesting circuits are well known in the art, and therefore will not bedescribed herein. Any known or to be known energy harvesting circuit canbe used herein without limitation.

As noted above, the tag 200 may also include a motion sensor 250. Motionsensors are well known in the art, and therefore will not be describedherein. Any known or to be known motion sensor can be used hereinwithout limitation. For example, the motion sensor 250 includes, but isnot limited to, a vibration sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, alinear motion sensor, a Passive Infrared (“PIR”) sensor, a tilt sensor,and/or a rotation sensor.

The motion sensor 250 is communicatively coupled to the controller 210such that it can notify the controller 210 when tag motion is detected.The motion sensor 250 also communicates sensor data to the controller210. The sensor data is processed by the controller 210 to determinewhether or not the motion is of a type for triggering enablement of thecommunication device (e.g., transceiver) 206 or at least onecommunications operation. For example, the sensor data can be comparedto stored motion/gesture data 228 to determine if a match existsthere-between. More specifically, a motion/gesture pattern specified bythe sensor data can be compared to a plurality of motion/gesturepatterns specified by the stored motion/gesture data 228. The pluralityof motion/gesture patterns can include, but are not limited to, a motionpattern for walking, a motion pattern for running, a motion pattern forvehicle transport, a motion pattern for vibration caused by equipment ormachinery in proximity to the tag (e.g., an air conditioner or fan), agesture for requesting assistance, a gesture for obtaining additionalproduct information, and/or a gesture for product purchase. The type ofmovement (e.g., vibration or being carried) is then determined based onwhich stored motion/gesture data matches the sensor data. This featureof the present solution allows the tag 200 to selectively enable thecommunication device (e.g., transceiver) or at least one communicationsoperation only when the tag's location within a facility is actuallybeing changed (e.g., and not when a fan is causing the tag to simplyvibrate).

In some scenarios, the tag 200 can be also configured to enter a sleepstate in which at least the motion sensor triggering of communicationoperations is disabled. This is desirable, for example, in scenarioswhen the tag 200 is being shipped or transported from a distributor to acustomer. In those or other scenarios, the tag 200 can be furtherconfigured to enter the sleep state in response to its continuousdetection of motion for a given period of time. The tag can betransitioned from its sleep state in response to expiration of a definedtime period, the tag's reception of a control signal from an externaldevice, and/or the tag's detection of no motion for a period of time.

The power management circuit 234 is generally configured to control thesupply of power to components of the tag 200. In the event all of thestorage and harvesting resources deplete to a point where the tag 200 isabout to enter a shutdown/brownout state, the power management circuit234 can cause an alert to be sent from the tag 200 to a remote device(e.g., tag reader 120 or server 124 of FIG. 1). In response to thealert, the remote device can inform an associate (e.g., a store employee132 of FIG. 1) so that (s)he can investigate why the tag 200 is notrecharging and/or holding charge.

The power management circuit 234 is also capable of redirecting anenergy source to the tag's 200 electronics based on the energy source'sstatus. For example, if harvested energy is sufficient to run the tag's200 function, the power management circuit 234 confirms that all of thetag's 200 storage sources are fully charged such that the tag's 200electronic components can be run directly from the harvested energy.This ensures that the tag 200 always has stored energy in caseharvesting source(s) disappear or lesser energy is harvested for reasonssuch as drop in RF, light or vibration power levels. If a sudden drop inany of the energy sources is detected, the power management circuit 234can cause an alert condition to be sent from the tag 200 to the remotedevice (e.g., tag reader 120 or server 124 of FIG. 1). At this point, aninvestigation may be required as to what caused this alarm. Accordingly,the remote device can inform the associate (e.g., a store employee 132of FIG. 1) so that (s)he can investigate the issue. It may be that othermerchandise are obscuring the harvesting source or the item is beingstolen.

The present solution is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2. The tag 200can have any architecture provided that it can perform the functions andoperations described herein. For example, all of the components shown inFIG. 2 can comprise a single device (e.g., an Integrated Circuit(“IC”)). Alternatively, some of the components can comprise a first tagelement (e.g., a Commercial Off The Shelf (“COTS”) tag) while theremaining components comprise a second tag element communicativelycoupled to the first tag element. The second tag element can provideauxiliary functions (e.g., motion sensing, etc.) to the first tagelement. The second tag element may also control operational states ofthe first tag element. For example, the second tag element canselectively (a) enable and disable one or more features/operations ofthe first tag element (e.g., transceiver operations), (b) couple ordecouple an antenna to and from the first tag element, (c) by-pass atleast one communications device or operation, and/or (d) cause anoperational state of the first tag element to be changed (e.g., causetransitioning the first tag element between a power save mode andnon-power save mode). In some scenarios, the operational state changecan be achieved by changing the binary value of at least one state bit(e.g., from 0 to 1, or vice versa) for causing certain communicationcontrol operations to be performed by the tag 200. Additionally oralternatively, a switch can be actuated for creating a closed or opencircuit. The pre-sent solution is not limited in this regard.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is provided a detailed block diagram ofan exemplary architecture for a tag reader 300. Tag reader 120 of FIG. 1is the same as or similar to tag reader 200. As such, the discussion oftag reader 200 is sufficient for understanding tag reader 120.

Tag reader 300 may include more or less components than that shown inFIG. 3. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose anillustrative embodiment implementing the present solution. Some or allof the components of the tag reader 300 can be implemented in hardware,software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardwareincludes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. Theelectronic circuit may comprise passive components (e.g., capacitors andresistors) and active components (e.g., processors) arranged and/orprogrammed to implement the methods disclosed herein.

The hardware architecture of FIG. 3 represents an illustration of arepresentative tag reader 300 configured to facilitate improvedinventory counts and management within an RSF (e.g., RSF 128 of FIG. 1).In this regard, the tag reader 300 comprises an RF enabled device 350for allowing data to be exchanged with an external device (e.g., RFIDtags 112 ₁, . . . , 112 _(N), 118 ₁, . . . , 118 _(X) of FIG. 1) via RFtechnology. The components 304-316 shown in FIG. 3 may be collectivelyreferred to herein as the RF enabled device 350, and may include a powersource 312 (e.g., a battery) or be connected to an external power source(e.g., an AC mains).

The RF enabled device 350 comprises one or more antennas 302 forallowing data to be exchanged with the external device via RF technology(e.g., RFID technology or other RF based technology). The externaldevice may comprise RFID tags 112 ₁, . . . , 112 _(N), 118 ₁, . . . ,118 _(X) of FIG. 1. In this case, the antenna 302 is configured totransmit RF carrier signals (e.g., interrogation signals) to the listedexternal devices, and/or transmit data response signals (e.g.,authentication reply signals or an RFID response signal) generated bythe RF enabled device 350. In this regard, the RF enabled device 350comprises an RF transceiver 308. RF transceivers are well known in theart, and therefore will not be described herein. However, it should beunderstood that the RF transceiver 308 receives RF signals includinginformation from the transmitting device, and forwards the same to alogic controller 310 for extracting the information therefrom.

The extracted information can be used to determine the presence,location, and/or type of movement of an RFID tag within a facility(e.g., RSF 128 of FIG. 1). Accordingly, the logic controller 310 canstore the extracted information in memory 304, and execute algorithmsusing the extracted information. For example, the logic controller 310can correlate tag reads with beacon reads to determine the location ofthe RFID tags within the facility. The logic controller 310 can alsoperform pattern recognition operations using sensor data received fromRFID tags and comparison operations between recognized patterns andpre-stored patterns. The logic controller 310 can further select a timeslot from a plurality of time slots based on a tag's unique identifier(e.g., an EPC), and communicate information specifying the selected timeslot to the respective RFID tag. The logic controller 310 mayadditionally determine a WOT during which a given RFID tag'scommunication device (e.g., transceiver) or operation(s) is(are) to beturned on when motion is detected thereby, and communicate the same tothe given RFID tag. The WOT can be determined based on environmentalconditions (e.g., temperature, time of day, etc.) and/or systemconditions (e.g., amount of traffic, interference occurrences, etc.).Other operations performed by the logic controller 310 will be apparentfrom the following discussion.

Notably, memory 304 may be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatilememory. For example, the memory 304 can include, but is not limited to,a RAM, a DRAM, an SRAM, a ROM, and a flash memory. The memory 304 mayalso comprise unsecure memory and/or secure memory. The phrase “unsecurememory,” as used herein, refers to memory configured to store data in aplain text form. The phrase “secure memory,” as used herein, refers tomemory configured to store data in an encrypted form and/or memoryhaving or being disposed in a secure or tamper-proof enclosure.

Instructions 322 are stored in memory for execution by the RF enableddevice 350 and that cause the RF enabled device 350 to perform any oneor more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. The instructions322 are generally operative to facilitate determinations as to whetheror not RFID tags are present within a facility, where the RFID tags arelocated within a facility, which RFID tags are in motion at any giventime. Other functions of the RF enabled device 350 will become apparentas the discussion progresses.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is provided a detailed block diagram ofan exemplary architecture for a server 400. Server 124 of FIG. 1 is thesame as or substantially similar to server 400. As such, the followingdiscussion of server 400 is sufficient for understanding server 124.

Notably, the server 400 may include more or less components than thoseshown in FIG. 4. However, the components shown are sufficient todisclose an illustrative embodiment implementing the present solution.The hardware architecture of FIG. 4 represents one embodiment of arepresentative server configured to facilitate inventory counts,inventory management, and improved customer experiences.

Some or all the components of the server 400 can be implemented ashardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. Thehardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electroniccircuits. The electronic circuits can include, but are not limited to,passive components (e.g., resistors and capacitors) and/or activecomponents (e.g., amplifiers and/or microprocessors). The passive and/oractive components can be adapted to, arranged to, and/or programmed toperform one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functionsdescribed herein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the server 400 comprises a user interface 402, a CPU406, a system bus 410, a memory 412 connected to and accessible by otherportions of server 400 through system bus 410, and hardware entities 414connected to system bus 410. The user interface can include inputdevices (e.g., a keypad 450) and output devices (e.g., speaker 452, adisplay 454, and/or light emitting diodes 456), which facilitateuser-software interactions for controlling operations of the server 400.

At least some of the hardware entities 414 perform actions involvingaccess to and use of memory 412, which can be a RAM, a disk driver,and/or a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (“CD-ROM”). Hardware entities 414can include a disk drive unit 416 comprising a computer-readable storagemedium 418 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 420(e.g., software code) configured to implement one or more of themethodologies, procedures, or functions described herein. Theinstructions 420 can also reside, completely or at least partially,with-in the memory 412 and/or within the CPU 406 during executionthereof by the server 400. The memory 412 and the CPU 406 also canconstitute machine-readable media. The term “machine-readable media,” asused here, refers to a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions 420. The term“machine-readable media,” as used here, also refers to any medium thatis capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions 420for execution by the server 400 and that cause the server 400 to performany one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

In some scenarios, the hardware entities 414 include an electroniccircuit (e.g., a processor) programmed for facilitating the provision ofa three-dimensional map showing locations of RFID tags within a facilityand/or changes to said locations in near real-time. In this regard, itshould be understood that the electronic circuit can access and run asoftware application 422 installed on the server 400. The softwareapplication 422 is generally operative to facilitate: the determinationof RFID tag locations within a facility; the direction of travel of RFIDtags in motion; and the mapping of the RFID tag locations and movementsin a virtual three-dimensional space.

In those or other scenarios, the hardware entities 414 include anelectronic circuit (e.g., a processor) programmed for facilitating iteminventorying, merchandise sale, and/or customer satisfaction with ashopping experience. In this regard, the electronic circuit can accessand run an inventorying software application 422 and an MCD displaysoftware application 422 installed on the server 400. The softwareapplications 422 are collectively generally operative to: obtain itemlevel information and/or other information from MCDs and RFID tags;program item level information, accessory information, related productinformation and/or discount information onto RFID tags and/or MCDs;convert the language, pricing and/or currency symbol of item levelinformation, accessory information, related product information and/ordiscount information; facilitate registration of RFID tags and MCDs withan enterprise system; and/or determine when MCD display update actionsneed to be taken based on RFID tag information. Other functions of thesoftware applications 422 will become apparent as the discussionprogresses. Such other functions can relate to tag reader control and/ortag control.

An RFID exit portal can track tagged items which located near the pointof exit, and also those items which are in a defined portal zone, andthose items which are in motion passing through the RFID portal.Conventional RFID portals identify the direction of RFID tags crossing aportal transition defined by a choke point through which items must passwhen they move from one defined area to a second defined area. In manyimplementations, an RFID portal consists at minimum of two separateantennas and a RFID reader. The tag directionality is easily determinedby the order of the reads. A tag read by a first antenna and then by thesecond antenna is likely moving from the first to second antenna.However, this implementation requires multiple read zones with separatedmounting points and cannot be applied to all use cases. Mounted antennasof various heights can be used, including ceiling and floorinstallations.

RFID portals can also use beam steerable antennas to detect the presenceof RFID tags in different locations as they move through a portal zone.In a conventional configuration, the minimum setup is one RFID readerand one beam steerable antenna. In such scenarios, the physicalseparation between multiple antennas is no longer needed to determinetag directionality.

Typical RFID portals can detect and read RFID tags that are movingbetween defined zones. In practice, situations arise where there aretagged items which are being removed from the premises withoutauthorization, e.g. by shoplifters who have not purchased the items theyare taking through the exit. In these situations, a person attempting totransport tagged items through the portal may attempt to shield thesecurity tags from the portal reader's interrogation signals.

In conventional systems the proximity of the tags to the body canpartially or completely shield the tags from detection by the RFIDreader. The human body tends to shield RFID tags operating at 860-960MHz from detection Keeping RFID tags close to the body can interferewith the ability of the portal reader to detect and read RFID tags, adefeat tactic known by thieves. For example, it is not uncommon for athief to attempt to exit a store wearing two or three stolen garmentswith RFID tags. Thieves may attempt to hide tags under their armpits,and in which case there will not be sufficient RF energy to power on thetag.

Some approaches to address these problems seek to prevent multiplereaders from interfering with each other, and also to maximize thenumber of tags in the field of view. In order to further improve on thatsystem, the technology disclosed herein targets detection of “hard toread” RFID tags. This targeted detection involves intermittenthigh-power reading of certain tags, where the RF power level applied toa certain groups of RFID antennas can be selectively increased, wherethe read power is further enhanced by the one of more readers/antennasfocused on a given target zone.

The design of an RFID portal requires consideration of several differentcompeting requirements. The portal should be able to (1) inventory alltags crossing the portal. (2) provide enough reads per crossing tag todetermine directionality of movement, (3) inventory all static tagssurrounding the portal, and (4) detect and focus on crossing tags. Thisis not a trivial exercise. A simple method constantly attempting toinventory all tags in field of view of each antenna will fail to reachthe requirements. In addition, examples of the technology disclosedherein address a further requirement, namely targeted power increases todetect hard-to-read tags which may be deliberately concealed.

A common practice for purposes of trying to reach these goal can involveinterrogating tags using the dual-target mode in one of the latchedsessions S1, S2 or S3. In the dual-target mode, each of the tags will beread continuously regardless of whether the tag is in state “A” or state“B”. The expectation in such scenarios is to be able to read all tagswithin the field of view (FOV) of the reader antenna, regardless of theinventoried flag state. The power level of the RFID electromagneticexciter field is manually tuned to limit the reading of static tagswhich might be far from the system. But as more time is spent by an RFIDreader to inventory the tags in the FOV of its steerable antenna, theopportunities increase to miss a tag that is crossing in an area that isnot then covered by the antenna beam. This problem becomes particularlynoteworthy when many tags are present. It also detracts from the abilityof the portal to focus attention on the tags which are actually crossingthrough the portal (as opposed to static tags which are not in motion).

In some cases, improved performance can be achieved by executing acombination of RFID tag reads using different sessions, power levels andbeam directions so as to maximize RFID portal accuracy in a dense tagpopulation. The unique combination of those read cycles allows an RFIDportal to detect the surrounding tags while focusing on the crossingstags.

According to one aspect of examples of the technology disclosed herein,increased power reading levels can be achieved by synchronizing multiplereaders to point in the same direction at the same time. The individualpower levels of each synchronized RFID reader can also be simultaneouslyincreased.

In FIGS. 5-7 there is shown an RFID portal system 500 (plan view in FIG.5, top view in FIG. 6), which is useful for understanding certainaspects of the invention. The RFID portal system includes two RFIDreaders 506 a, 506 b and each of them are respectively attached toantennas 502 a. 502 b mounted on sides of the portal. An RFID reader asreferenced herein is capable of generating RFID tag exciter signals tocontrol and elicit responses from one or more of a plurality of RFIDtags in a RFID portal zone. The RFID exciter signals can also serve as asource of power for energizing the RFID tags. The exciter signalsgenerated by the RFID reader and responses received by the reader willbe in accordance with an RFID system standard that is now known or knownin the future. The RFID tag reader will also be capable of detecting,identifying and/or processing one or more the responses from theplurality of RFID tags in a portal zone. The RFID readers can includesuitable interface circuitry to facilitate communications with a systemcontroller 508 as described below. For example, the interface circuitrycan facilitate communication of information regarding detected responsesreceived from RFID tags. Such interface circuitry can also facilitatereception of interrogation commands and/or antenna beam control commandsfrom the system controller.

In the arrangement 500 shown, the antennas are mounted on pedestals 503a, 503 b, but the technology disclosed herein is not limited in thisregard. The antennas could be mounted in the ceiling or in the ground,and the method described herein would still be applicable. There is norestriction regarding the type of antennas which are used to produce therequired field patterns. However, in this example 500, antennas 502 areunderstood to be beam steerable so that multiple different antenna beamdirections can be obtained from a single antenna 502 a, 502 b. Controlover the required antenna field patterns can be facilitated by the RFIDreaders as noted above. Also, two antennas 502 a and 502 b are shown inFIG. 5, but it should be understood that the technology disclosed hereinis not limited in this regard. The inventive arrangements descriedherein could be implemented using a single beam steerable antenna.

The RFID portal system 500 can be placed in the vicinity of an exitpoint 504 in a facility where goods and items must pass through in orderto transition from one space inside the facility to a second space whichis outside of the facility. In the example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6,the choke point 504 is a doorway, but the technology disclosed herein isnot limited in this regard. The choke point can also be a wide exit suchas those seen in shopping malls, which is open to another interior spacewhich is not a part of the facility. The RFID readers 506 a, 506 can beoperated under the command of a system controller 508, such as server124, which facilitates the detection of one or more RFID tags 510 withina field of view of each antenna as hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the RFID portal system 100 will define a boundary704 that separates a portal zone 700 into a first interior space 701,which may be located inside a facility such as a retail store, and asecond exterior space 702, which is considered to be outside the retailstore. The portal zone generally defines the area in which the RFIDportal system 500 is capable of detecting and reading RFID tags. Theportal zone 700 is shown as a regular rectangular shape in FIG. 7 forease of illustration, but it should be understood that the actual shapeof the zone can be somewhat irregular, as it will depend on the portalreader, antenna system and environmental factors which defines the fieldof view of the system. The first space 701 and the second space 702 arerespectively physical spaces or areas of the portal zone 700 defined onopposing sides of the boundary as shown. The RFID portal system will (1)invention all tags crossing the portal between the first and secondspace. (2) provide enough reads per crossing tag to determinedirectionality of such movement. (3) inventory all static tags in theportal zone surrounding the portal.

In order to understand the operation of the RFID portal system 500, itis useful to note some basic features of the EPC Gen2 type RFID tags.Each EPC Gen2 compliant tag can selectively have one of two states: “A”and “B” The “A” state is the default state for such tags; but underpredetermined conditions, the tags can be caused to transition to the“B” state. The tag will remain in the “B” state for some period of time,known as a persistence time. When the tag times-out of the “B” state, itwill automatically revert to the “A” state.

Referring now, to FIG. 8, an EPC Gen2 tag facilitates up to fourdifferent sessions. Session 0, Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3. Forconvenience, these sessions are sometimes referred to as S0, S1, S2, andS3. As shown in FIG. 8, some of these sessions have a differentpersistence time as compared to other sessions. The persistence time canalso be affected by whether or not the tag is energized or excited by anelectromagnetic RFID reader field. An RFID reader will select whichsession is to be used during a particular inventory cycle. The flagstate “A” or “B” for each of session S0, S1, S2, and S3 can becontrolled independently of the flag state set in other sessions.

As used herein, the phrase “inventory round” refers to each instance inwhich RFID tags within the portal zone are activated using RF activationsignals from the RFID reader. The inventory rounds performed by theportal can be Single Target rounds or Dual target rounds. When an RFIDreader performs a Single Target round, it reads only “A” state tags andthen transitions each such tag to its “B” state. This cycle is performedas often as is practically possible until all tags are read. In a DualTarget round, the reader reads all tags in a “A” state tags and thentransitions each such tag to its “B” state, then reads all tags in a “B”state into the “A” state, and the cycle is repeated as long asnecessary.

In some approaches, operating an RFID portal generally involves threecycles, including a Detection Cycle, a Sampling Cycle and a SurveyCycle. In examples of the technology disclosed herein, the methodincludes a Base Reader Mode, which represents a reading mode at a powerlevel selected to only read tags within a limited area in the vicinityof the RFID portal. The algorithm controlling the Base Reader Mode maybe selected to optimize tag detection and reading accuracy in the areanear the portal by cycling between different sessions, search modes,power levels and/or beam directions. The base reader algorithm drivingthe Base Reader Mode can be, but is not limited to, the system andmethod described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,519,811, which provides a DetectionCycle, a Sampling Cycle and a Survey Cycle.

Examples of the technology disclosed herein provide a second mode ofoperation, which is an additional High-Power Reader Mode. The High-PowerReader Mode initiates a tag reading cycle at a greater RF power levelthan the Base Reader Mode. When operating in the High-Power Reader Mode,at the cycle which reads into the store interior, i.e. the First space701, multiple readers positioned to read into the store (first space701) are turned to high-power mode. At the same time, the multiplereaders are synchronized to point at the same target zone. For example,if multiple readers initiate high-power reading while into the store(the first space 701), it will provide positive reinforcement of thedata collected by RF signals aimed at different places in space. If atag is positioned very close to a human in the first space 701, forexample by deliberate shielding of the tag, when the tag passes throughthe first space 701 the amount of voltage received by the that tag canbe that double or triple the voltage received into the tag at normalpower levels.

Similarly, it is also desirable to synchronize multiple readers whichare pointing in a direction outside of the store, i.e. towards secondspace 702. For example, if two or three of the total available readersare simultaneously activated when the beams are pointing out of thestore into the second space 702 (outside the store), this would enablethe reader to read tags that are being stolen once they are out of thestore. In addition to increased powered achieved by the directionalsynchronization of the readers, the RF power levels of each of thereaders can also be individually increased. This arrangement will alsoadvantageously serve to read tags on the back of the neck and behind theback of the thief as they leave the store.

The directional synchronization of multiple readers reading in a givendirection can result in a potential increase of 4 to 9 dB more energybeing received by a tag in the targeted zone. Synchronizingtransmissions from multiple readers which point at the same target zonecan result in a greater amount of RF energy directed in that direction.This results in a greater amount of energy induced in the tag, whichresults in a higher probability the tag will have sufficient energy toturn on. This makes it possible to read a greater number of“hard-to-read” tags that may otherwise concealed by proximity to a humanbody. When readers are synchronized to increase and target delivered RFpower, a tag otherwise shielded by extremely close proximity to a humanmay receive sufficient RF energy to power on the tag, which would notoccur at lower power levels.

For cases where a thief is exit the store wearing multiple garments withRFID tags, the inventive arrangement and algorithm can result in a muchhigher percentage read rate of tags.

In practice, it is not typical to not have a first reader transmittingfrom a first pedestal at the same time a second reader is transmittingat the same time to the center beam at the same height. One solution isto ensure that a first patch antenna located close to the ground on afirst pedestal is transmitting at the same time a second patch antenna,located higher from the ground that the first antenna and on a secondpedestal, is transmitting. Alternatively, in another embodiment, thisproblem can be solved by providing a right-hand circularly polarizedantennas in a first pedestal, and a left-hand circularly polarizedantenna on a second nearby pedestal.

The High-Power Reader Mode, which can be directed alternatively into thestore's interior and then to the exterior area of the store,advantageously helps to enable the reader to detect and read“hard-to-read” tags. However, in addition to reading any hard-to-readtags, the reader is able to read a higher number of tags at a greaterdistance into the store's interior (First space 701) and also reads alsoa higher number of tags in the area which may be located beyond theportal, outside of the exit (second space 702). The number of tagsdetected and read in High-Power Reader Mode may greatly exceed thenumber of tags detected in the Base Reader Mode. In particular, theincreased number of tag reads extending into the interior of the storewill pick up statically positioned inventory located inside the store,which can be of sufficient numbers to mask the detection of a tag beingdeliberately concealed.

To address this problem, examples of the technology disclosed herein canproceed as in the method 900 depicted in FIG. 9. After initiation of theRFID system 500 in base read mode (910) the RFID system 500 detects sometotal number of tags in a target areas, e.g., a first space 701 or asecond space 702 (920). The RFID system 500 determines if the number isbelow a threshold (930). Note that “below a threshold,” “meet athreshold,” “under a threshold.” and similar phrases are intended toconvey the same meaning herein unless explained otherwise. When athreshold or greater number of tags is detected or read in the targetzone, the RFID system follows the “No” path from step 930 and continuesin the base power mode (940).

When the number of tags detected meets or exceeds the threshold, theRFID system 500 follows the “Yes” path from step 930 and enters theHigh-Power Read Mode (950). In such cases, the RFID readers are directed(960) to read the inside of the store in high-power mode, the algorithmlimits the maximum amount of time that in which tags are read duringeach cycle. This maximum time will be selectable and variable, and canbe calculated based on the number of tags read from the previous readcycle directed into the store. If the number of tags being read in thearea inside the store (970) exceeds a predetermined threshold (“Yes”path from 980, then the system pauses the high-power detection cycle,and commences the algorithm initiating Base Reader Mode, which does notinclude a high-power detection window.

When operating in High-Power Reader Mode, when the number of tagsvisible inside the store during the high-power detection cycle is amanageable number according to the threshold (e.g. less than 300) (“No”path from step 980, the RFID system continues in the High-Power ReadMode (990). In some such examples, the RFID system 500 uses thefollowing logic: 1. For reading A flags inside the store, set a timeoutfrom 50 ms to 250 ms, set the session flag to either session 2 or 3,where session 2 or 3 as selected continues to be used for “inside thestore” reads. 2. Start reading A flags located inside the store usingall available readers (e.g. three readers) using Single Target Mode toread the A Flags. 3. If the cycle time is over there are still A flagsremaining to be read inside the store, then the readers continue to readonly A flags during the next “inside the store” reading cycle. But ifall A flags have been read, then the next pass reading inside the storewill then read the B flags. This logic will continue reading some or allof the A flags until done, and then switching to the B flags and readingthem until done.

For reading cycles for detecting tags outside of the store, the samepattern is followed, but will use the other of session 2 or 3 which wasused for reading inside the store. Every cycle we also have the samepattern for the tags outside the store, but it will use the session 2 or3 that was not used for the tags inside the store.

The cycle described above will continue until the number of detectedtags in the field of view (e.g. those inside the store) exceed apredetermined threshold, which indicates that there are too many visibletags to successfully utilize a high-power mode cycle to read“hard-to-read” tags. This causes the reader to exit out of theHigh-Power Reader Mode, and the next cycle commences the steps performedby the base reader algorithm, which does not have a high-power readercycle. The system continues to operate according to the base readeralgorithm until the number of tags detected and read in the area insidethe store drops back to a manageable level (i.e. the pre-determinedthreshold). When a lower number of tags are present in an area,high-power read cycles can be utilized to read “hard-to-read” tags.

By using the Single Target Mode, examples of the technology disclosedherein do not re-read the same tags until all of the tags have beenread, in both the inside and outside areas. But by switching to readingthe B state tags the B state tags will read them all again after theywere initially read in the A state. In addition to reading far in andfar out, the invention contemplates interleaving the readings in-betweenthe pedestals with high-power in session 1 or session 0.

One advantage of such an approach is that the RFID system 500 willcontinue to read the located at a relatively long distance both insideand outside the store, but at a reduced rate. In conventionalapproaches, the tag reads that may be achieved might only read the tagsonce in the far in and far out read patterns Examples of the technologydisclosed herein allow the tags in these inside and outside areas to beread repeatedly as long as the number of tags does not exceed apredetermined threshold. For example, the tags located both inside thestore and outside the store can be read over and over as long as thereare not a large number of tags located too close to the pedestal (e.g.hundreds of tags) which would revert the algorithm to the base readermode which does not have a high-power read window. Examples of thetechnology disclosed herein can be extended to synchronize more than onepedestal/exit solution at a time. For example, if two to ten exitsystems are placed besides each other, then all exit systems can becoordinated to read into the store at the same time to maximize thepower received by the tags inside the store. If additional readers areinstalled inside the store, including those readers that may beinstalled in the floor or ceiling, then these readers could also besynchronized to the logic described above.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, in operation, RFID system 500 mayperform a method 1000 of electronic article surveillance, by such as viaexecution of application component 1215 by processor 1205 and/or memory1210—wherein application component 1215, processor 1205, and/or memory1210 are components of computing device 1200. Computing device 1200 canbe one or more of tag 200, tag reader 300, and server 400.

Consider an RFID system, such as RFID system 500, including a pluralityof non-co-located interrogation antennas. Each antenna is independentlycontrollable by the RFID system 500 to interrogate one or more of aplurality of target zones one target zone at a time for the presence ofRFID tags 510 of the RFID system 500 in each interrogated target zone.

An RFID system 500 can first interrogating, by the system in a firstmode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of targetzones including a given target zone, each particular target zoneinterrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for theparticular target zone—Block 1010. In a continuing example, the RFIDsystem 500 operates in a lower power Base Read mode and 500 detects somenumber number of tags in a target areas, e.g., a first space 701 or asecond space 702.

In another example, referring to FIG. 12, computer device 1200,processor 1205, memory 1210, application component 1215, and/or firstinterrogating component 1220 may be configured to or may comprise meansfor first interrogating, in a first mode, one or more particular targetzones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone,each particular target zone interrogated with one of the antennas at atime at a first power for the particular target zone.

The RFID system, starting upon first interrogation, monitors for atrigger condition to occur—Block 1020. In the continuing example,monitoring includes detecting a number of RFID tags 510 of the systemduring a given round, and the trigger condition comprises the numberbeing over a first threshold, in this case, 250. In other examples, thetrigger condition can be based on an output of one or more non-RFIDsensors 150 of the system being over a threshold of the one or morenon-RFID sensors 150. For example, infra-red sensors can track thenumber of people entering and exiting the portal 504. As anotherexample, Bluetooth-enabled mobile communication devices and beaconsensors 150 can be used to monitor the number of people, or carts, orother inventory robots, entering or exiting through the portal 504. Asanother example, the trigger condition can be a schedule.

In another example, referring to FIG. 12, computer device 1200,processor 1205, memory 1210, application component 1215, and/ormonitoring/triggering component 1225 may be configured to or maycomprise means for monitoring for a trigger condition to occur.

In response to the trigger condition not occurring (“NO” path from node1030), the RFID system continues the first interrogation. In thecontinuing example, at first over 250 tags 210 are counted by the systemduring the first interrogation.

In response to the trigger condition occurring (“YES” path from node1030), the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in asecond mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas—BLOCK1040. In the continuing example, after a first round, the RFID systemdetects only 217 RFID tags and both RFID readers 506 a. 506 b aredirected to read the inside of the store (zone 701) in high-power mode.The system 500 limits the maximum amount of time that in which tags areread during each cycle in the second mode. This maximum time will beselectable and variable, and can be calculated based on the number oftags read from the previous read cycle directed into the store.

In another example, referring to FIG. 12, computer device 1200,processor 1205, memory 1210, application component 1215, and/or secondinterrogating component 1230 may be configured to or may comprise meansfor second interrogating the given target zone in a second mode at asecond power with a plurality of the antennas.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in operation, RFID system 500 mayperform a method 1100 of electronic article surveillance, by such as viaexecution of application component 1215 by processor 1205 and/or memory1210—wherein application component 1215, processor 1205, and/or memory1210 are components of computing device 1200. Computing device 1200 canbe one or more of tag 200, tag reader 300, and server 40). In suchmethods 1100. Blocks 1010, 1020, 1030, and 1040 are performed asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 10 for a trigger conditionincluding the number of RFID tags 510 detected during the firstinterrogation number being over.

In such methods 1100, the RFID system 500, in response to the secondinterrogating, detects a second number of RFID tags of the system—Block1150. While the number of tags detected during the second interrogationhas not exceeded a second threshold (“NO” path from 1160), the RFIDsystem 500 continues the second interrogating. When the number of tagsdetected during the second interrogation is greater than a secondthreshold (“YES” path from 1160), the RFID system 500 ends the secondinterrogation and returns to interrogating using the first mode. In thecontinuing example, the RFID system 500, using a second threshold of300, at first continues to detect only 217 RFID tags, but then in asubsequent rounds of the second interrogating detects 278, and then 302RFID tags. Upon detecting 302 RFID tags, the RFID system returns to thefirst interrogation.

In another example, referring to FIG. 12, computer device 1200,processor 1205, memory 1210, application component 1215, and/ordetection/triggering component 1235 may be configured to or may comprisemeans for detecting, in response to the second interrogating, a secondnumber of RFID tags of the system, and upon detecting a number of tagsabove the second threshold, ending the second interrogation andreturning to interrogating using the first mode.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used hereinto mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspectdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as“at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least oneof A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or anycombination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and mayinclude multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically,combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B,or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and“A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be A only, B only, C only, Aand B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinationsmay contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. All structuraland functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspectsdescribed throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to beknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporatedherein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to thepublic regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited inthe claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” andthe like may not be a substitute for the word “means.” As such, no claimelement is to be construed as a means plus function unless the elementis expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of electronic article surveillance (EAS),comprising: in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprisinga plurality of interrogation antennas, each antenna independentlycontrollable by the system to interrogate one or more of a plurality oftarget zones one target zone at a time for a presence of RFID tags ofthe system in each interrogated target zone: first interrogating, by thesystem in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of theplurality of target zones including a given target zone, each particulartarget zone interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a firstpower for the particular target zone; monitoring, by the system uponfirst interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur; in response tothe trigger condition not occurring, continuing, by the system, thefirst interrogation in the first mode; and in response to the triggercondition occurring, second interrogating, by the system, the giventarget zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of theantennas at a same time in synchronization, wherein the second power forthe given target zone is greater in aggregate across the secondinterrogating antennas than the first power for the given target zone.22. The method of claim 21, wherein: monitoring comprises detecting anumber of RFID tags of the system during a given round; and the triggercondition comprises the number being over a first threshold.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising: second detecting, by the systemin response to the second interrogating, a second number of RFID tags ofthe system; and for the second number greater than a second threshold,ending the second interrogation in the second mode and thirdinterrogating in the first mode.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein thegiven target zone is a portal zone between a first area and a secondarea.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the trigger conditioncomprises an output of one or more non-RFID sensors of the system beingover a threshold of the one or more non-RFID sensors.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the trigger condition comprises a schedule.
 27. Themethod of claim 21, wherein at least one antenna of the plurality of thesecond interrogating antennas is a steerable beam antenna under controlof the system and not directed to the given target zone during the firstinterrogation.
 28. A electronic article surveillance (EAS) system,comprising: at least one RFID system controller; a plurality of RFIDreaders in communication with the at least one RFID system controller;and a plurality of interrogation antennas, each antenna independentlycontrollable by one of the plurality of RFID readers to interrogate oneor more of a plurality of target zones one target zone at a time; thesystem operative to: first interrogate, in a first mode, one or moreparticular target zones of the plurality of target zones including agiven target zone, each particular target zone interrogated with one ofthe antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone;monitor, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur; inresponse to the trigger condition not occurring, continue the firstinterrogation in the first mode; and in response to the triggercondition occurring, second interrogating the given target zone in asecond mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas at a sametime in synchronization, wherein the second power for the given targetzone is greater in aggregate across the second interrogating antennasthan the first power for the given target zone.
 29. The system of claim28, wherein: monitoring comprises detecting a number of RFID tags of thesystem during a given round; and the trigger condition comprises thenumber being over a first threshold.
 30. The system of claim 29, furtheroperative to: second detect, in response to the second interrogating, asecond number of RFID tags of the system; and for the second numbergreater than a second threshold, end the second interrogation in thesecond mode and third interrogate in the first mode.
 31. The system ofclaim 28, wherein the given target zone is a portal zone between a firstarea and a second area.
 32. The system of claim 28, wherein the triggercondition comprises an output of one or more non-RFID sensors of thesystem being over a threshold of the one or more non-RFID sensors. 33.The system of claim 28, wherein the trigger condition comprises aschedule.
 34. The system of claim 28, wherein at least one antenna ofthe plurality of the second interrogating antennas is a steerable beamantenna under control of the system and not directed to the given targetzone during the first interrogation.
 35. An electronic articlesurveillance (EAS) apparatus, comprising: means for first interrogating,in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of a plurality oftarget zones including a given target zone, each particular target zoneinterrogated with one of a plurality of antennas at a time at a firstpower for the particular target zone; means for monitoring, upon firstinterrogating, for a trigger condition to occur; means for continuing,in response to the trigger condition not occurring, the firstinterrogation in the first mode; and means for second interrogating, inresponse to the trigger condition occurring, the given target zone in asecond mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas at a sametime in synchronization, wherein the second power for the given targetzone is greater in aggregate across the second interrogating antennasthan the first power for the given target zone.
 36. The apparatus ofclaim 35, wherein: the means for monitoring comprises means fordetecting a number of RFID tags of the system during a given round; andthe trigger condition comprises the number being over a first threshold.37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising: means for seconddetecting, by the system in response to the second interrogating, asecond number of RFID tags of the system; and for the second numbergreater than a second threshold, ending the second interrogation in thesecond mode and third interrogating in the first mode.
 38. The apparatusof claim 35, wherein the given target zone is a portal zone between afirst area and a second area.
 39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein thetrigger condition comprises an output of one or more non-RFID sensorsbeing over a threshold of the one or more non-RFID sensors.
 40. Theapparatus of claim 35, wherein the trigger condition comprises aschedule.